Tuesday, April 22, 2014

In my blogging absence I thought it might be nice to have a guest post. How about an interview with Mr. Squash? You hear about him all the time in various posts. Let's have a little in-depth so you can get to know him a bit better!

Where did you grow up and what was unique about your
childhood?

It’s an open question as to whether or not I am a grown-up. I’ve heard
compelling arguments on both sides of the question. My childhood was spent in
bucolic Southern New Jersey - mostly me wandering about farms, woods and
marshes with my dog, Buster. I went to Seabrook Grammar School and, given my
classmate’s demographics, for the longest time I thought I was Japanese.

What do you have to say about your 38 years in Public
Health?

I was lucky to have found Public Health. I worked on interesting
problems with bright and caring people. Our motto was: We stand between you and
certain death..understood by my colleagues, perhaps not by the public
majority.

What is it you wanted most in your retirement?

I wanted a dog and a hot tub. Thus far, I have neither. However we do have two great cats.

What is your favorite food?

Bacon. (Click to enlarge)

Care to expand on that?

The only thing expanding is me.
I also like Skippy Super Chunk Peanut Butter. My wife recently made some Bacon, Chocolate Chip cookies from a recipe she found here.

Now that you’ve retired to a small, remote town in Southeast
Washington, how do you like it and what is the best part about living there?

Once you meet people, you keep running into them. I also enjoy the letters to the editor in the
local newspaper. Considering how small the stakes are in our little community,
I find the passion and, occasionally, the rancor to be amazing. My favorite thing is the picture of wildlife that shows up above the fold on the front page of the newspaper every evening.

What is your favorite pastime?

The older I get, the more my mind wanders and I enjoy it. I like to
wade small, sunlit streams and catch enthusiastic trout on a dry fly with Mrs.
Squash alongside.

How do you feel about your wife and her quilting, baking and
gardening?

I like the baking a bunch as it mostly benefits me! When it comes to gardening, being an agriculture
major gives me point of view that often conflicts with gardeners such as my
wife. I, for instance would be willing to use small nuclear weapons on slugs.
None of the soapy water/spray doctrine for me or my aggie brothers. I do enjoy puttering around the Squash House
yard and doing all the heavy lifting to help Mrs. Squash.

I have come to appreciate quilting. The creativity and the
community associated with quilting is quite extraordinary.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Who would have known this darling little 4 week old kitten (photo from her foster parents)...

...would turn into this lovable, precocious little beauty! Yes, her eyes changed color all by themselves.

She knows when to sleep....

....and when to play! We're so happy she joined us here at the Squash House! Happy first Birthday, Gracie May!

I will be taking a brief blogging break. Hopefully I'll be able to visit many of you and leave comments, though. I've turned comments off for this post but Gracie May wants you all to know she is grateful for your good Birthday Wishes - Meow!